Astronomy NCRIS Strategic Options Committee (ANSOC)

Background and Terms of Reference

The background and terms of reference for the ANSOC committee can be found here.

Supporting Documentation for the ANSOC Process

General Resources

• New Horizons: a Decadal Plan for Australian Astronomy 2006 - 2015
• Astronomy NCRIS Investment Plan
• Astronomy NCRIS Funding Agreement
• 2006 DEST-commissioned external review of the AAO

Additional Access to 8m Telescopes

• The case for additional 8m time

Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT)

• The case for the Anglo-Australian Telescope

Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)

• The case for the Giant Magellan Telescope
• Appendix A: GMT Conceptual Design Report
• Appendix B: GMT Science Case
• Appendix C: NIFS Images - Example of Industry Potential (1.8Mb)
• Appendix D: GMT Imagery and Animations (19.5Mb)
• Comments from the Australian GMT Advisory Committee

Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope (PILOT)

• The case for PILOT
• Appendix A: The Science Case for Pilot
• Appendix B: PILOT - a wide-field telescope for the Antarctic Plateau
• Appendix C: Proposed instrumentation for PILOT
• Appendix D: Running PILOT - operational challenges and plans for an Antarctic observatory
• Comments from the Australian Antarctic Astronomy Advisory Committee